Bow grip assembly



United States Patent [72] Inventor Clarence R. Fowkes [56] References Cited 904-701 St., Verona, Pennsylvania 15147 UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 App]. No. 667,772 3,068,002 12/1962 Balne 272/79 1 PM 14, 1967 2,601,742 1/1952 Kusold 46/169 1 Patented 1970 2,896,373 7/1959 Cohn 46/169(A)UX 3,397,685 8/1968 Walker 124/24 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne [541 Attorney-Webb, Burden, Robinson and Webb 124/23 ABSTRACT: A grip assembly within the riser of a bow having [51 hit. (I F411) 5/00 a grip attached to a pivot rod mounted in a bracket attached to [50] Field of Search 124/24, 23, the bow to permit rotary movement of the grip relative to the 22, 30, 41; 46/169(A), 169 how.

ll l3 A new Patented Nov. 10;1970

v INVENTOR. Clarence R. Fawkes H/S ATTORNE Y5 1 Bow GRIP ASSEMBLY Maintaining a bow in the shooting line from the time the bow string is released until the notch end of the arrow has passed the bow is difficult; and even if the bow is firmly held, an accurate shot cannot always be made. Upon release of the bow string, the arrow is initially guided by the bow and the bow string together, and after separation from the bow string it is guided by the bow itself; therefore, any movement of the bow after the string is released deflects the arrow from the desired path. Movement of the bow occurs because of the im pact on the archers wrist caused by release of the bow string. This impact on the archers wrist causes a torque or twist of the wrist and hand holding the bow which results in movement of the bow and deflection of the arrow. It is only with long practice that a skilled archer is able to minimize the effect of torqueing by compensating for the impact.

An object of my invention is to overcome the above difficulties by providing a bow with a grip assembly having a rotatable grip which transforms the impact into rotary motion within the grip rather than transmitting it to the bow. The grip is an integral part of the bow itself, thereby allowing the archer greater accuracy and cast by freeing the grip in his hands while still maintaining direct contact with the bow. The use of my invention also permits the archer to hold his arm naturally, eliminating stress and strain during the draw and allowing the bow to be accurately aligned with the shooting line. My invention does not require stabilizers since the torque is compensated for within the grip itself. The assembly of my invention is easily replaceable in part or in whole as it is simply constructed. Additionally, my assembly can be manufactured at a reasonable price.

In the accompanying drawings, l have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section on the center line of a bow embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a section on line Il-II of FIG. 1', and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the parts of my grip assembly.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, my assembly comprises a grip 1 carried on a pivot rod 2 which is mounted for rotary movement about its ends in a mounting bracket formed by members 3, 4 and 5 of which U-shaped member 3 is affixed to bow B. Grip 1 is formed with a semicircular channel 6 on its inner edge, and this channel embraces rod 2. The grip is attached to rod 2 by countersunk set screws 7 which extend through holes 8 in rod 2 into threaded holes 9 in the grip. The grip is recessed at T on the outer edge to form a thumb opening for ease of handling the bow.

To mount my grip assembly in a bow, a notch is cut in the bow riser. The notch is of a size to receive U-shaped bracket member 3 as shown in FIG. 1, and member 3 is held in position by screws 10 which extend through the base of the member into the bow. While screws are shown for holding member 3 in position, it is to be understood that other attaching means may also be used. Member 3 is located in the bow so that the horizontal center line of the member is in approximately the same plane as the horizontal center line of the bow riser. Aligned semicircular notches 11 are formed in the free end of each leg of the U-shaped member, and these notches cooperate with semicircular notches 12 formed in retainer members 4 and 5 to form spaced circular openings. The openings receive ends 13 of rod 2 having a diameter less than the rod to hold the rod and attached grip in position with the axis of rod 2 parallel to the axis of the bow while permitting rotation of the rod and grip relative to the bow. Bronze bushings may be fitted on ends 13 if desired to minimize friction and wear during rotation. Bracket members 4 and 5 are held against the ends of bracket member 3 by screws 14 which extend through members 4 and 5 into threaded holes 15 in member 3. A pair of screws is used for each of members 4 and 5 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the unassembled elements of the grip assembly showing grip l, pivot rod 2 and bracket members 3, 4 and 5.

Upon release of the bow string, the impact imparted will be transmitted to grip 1 which will rotate with rod 2 relative to the bow, and the how will remain in proper alignment so that the arrow is projected in the intended shooting line.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In an archery bow having a riser portion with a notch formed therein, the improvement comprising a grip assembly pivotably mounted within said notch; said grip assembly including mounting means fixedly attached to said riser portion, said mounting means comprising a first U-shaped bracket member having semicircular notches formed in the ends of its legs and retainer members attached to said ends of the legs of said U-shaped member, said retainer members being formed with semicircular notches cooperating with the notches in said free ends to form circular openings; a rod having its ends supported in said circular openings for rotation relative to said mounting means and said riser portion; and a grip fixedly attached to said rod for rotation with said rod relative to said mounting means and said riser portion.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein the ends of said rod located in said openings have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the portion of said rod attached to said grip. 

